Egyptian general quits military to run for president

The Egyptian general who ousted his country’s first freely elected leader declared his candidacy yesterday for a presidential election he is expected to win easily.

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi — who toppled Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood last July after mass protests against his rule — vowed to fight what he called the terrorist threat facing Egypt, a reference to attacks that have spiralled since last summer.

“True, today is my last day in military uniform, but I will continue to fight every day for an Egypt free of fear and terrorism,” said Sisi, still wearing his military fatigues, in a televised speech yesterday. He had to resign his posts of army chief and minister of defence so he could contest the election.

Seeking to cap some of the sky-high expectations, Sisi warned he could not perform “miracles” in a country of 85m that is steeped in poverty.

“I cannot make miracles. Rather, I propose hard work and self-denial. We must be truthful with ourselves: our country faces great challenges. Our economy is weak. There are millions of youths who suffer from unemployment in Egypt. This is unacceptable.”

If Sisi is elected, it would mark a return to the days when Egypt was led by men from the military — a pattern interrupted by Morsi’s one year in office after he won the first democratic presidential election.